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Protests Erupt After Minnesota Nurse Killed
The killing of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents has sparked protests, political backlash, and mounting pressure on the White House over its aggressive immigration enforcement in the state.
Photo of usa, washington dc, white house, and grey in Washington, United States by Tomasz Zielonka (@tzielonka)
Protesters stormed a hotel believed to be housing federal agents in Minneapolis as the White House faced mounting pressure following the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, by federal officers during a protest in Minnesota over the weekend.
President Donald Trump did not give a timeline for withdrawing federal officers from the state but said, “At some point, we will leave. We’ve done, they’ve done, a phenomenal job.” His remarks came amid growing scrutiny over Saturday’s shooting, which has triggered days of unrest and intensified debate over the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.
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Mr Trump twice declined to say whether the officer who shot Pretti acted appropriately. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, he said, “We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.” His measured tone stood in contrast to statements from senior administration officials who blamed Pretti for his own death, describing him as a “domestic terrorist” and a “would-be assassin,” despite video evidence showing he posed no immediate threat to federal agents.
On Monday, Mr Trump announced he was sending Tom Homan, his “border tsar,” to Minnesota amid escalating backlash. “Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me,” the president wrote in a social media post. Homan will oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state, a move widely seen as sidelining Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Chief Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.
Protests intensified Sunday evening when demonstrators stormed a Hilton hotel in Minneapolis where federal agents were believed to be staying. Windows were smashed, and the building was spray-painted with the words “ICE OUT.” One person was seen attempting to smash a Home2 Suites sign with a snow shovel as others cheered. Local officials said ICE agents clashed with protesters as arrests were made, deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd. As security around federal facilities tightened, officials noted the use of heavy-duty crowd control and safety gear, underscoring how operations now resemble high-risk environments where specialized equipment much like a PETZL MGO Open 60 auto-locking carabiner designed for secure anchoring in climbing has become standard for ensuring personnel safety.
Pretti is the second protester killed by federal agents in Minnesota in the past three weeks. Earlier this month, Renee Good, a mother of three, was shot dead while sitting in her car. According to witnesses and video footage, Pretti was holding a camera and filming agents when he stepped in to help a female protester who had been pushed to the ground. He was pepper-sprayed and forced to the floor by at least four agents.
A gun that Pretti was legally licensed to carry was removed from his waistband by one of the agents. Within seconds, a gunshot was heard possibly from Pretti’s own weapon being accidentally discharged by the agent handling it—followed by other agents opening fire, killing him.
“I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it,” Mr Trump said. “But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun, with two magazines loaded up with bullets also.”
Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, voiced outrage over the killing and the White House response. Pressure has also come from Republicans and groups typically sympathetic to the president. Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and Susan Collins called for a “full joint federal and state investigation” into the shooting.
A government attorney said, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.” The National Rifle Association responded by saying the administration should not be “demonising law-abiding citizens.”
Mr Trump remained largely silent over the weekend before posting lengthy social media messages blaming Democrats and urging local officials to turn over undocumented immigrants. “Tragically, two American citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos,” he wrote, referring to the deaths of Pretti and Good.
The president spoke with Governor Walz by phone on Monday, later describing the call as “very good.” Walz, who has been critical of the federal immigration operation in Minnesota, said Mr Trump agreed to consider reducing the number of federal agents in the state. Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump said they appeared to be on a “similar wavelength” and claimed Walz was receptive to Homan’s deployment.
Walz had previously demanded the immediate withdrawal of federal agents, saying, “The president must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.” He said he told Mr Trump there must be “impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents” and a reduction in the federal presence.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s immigration policies on Monday, urging Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to hand over all undocumented immigrants in the state’s prison system and any individuals facing deportation. “Local police must assist federal law enforcement in apprehending and detaining illegal aliens who are wanted for crimes, especially violent crimes,” she said.
Leavitt also sought to distance Mr Trump from comments by Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who had described Pretti as an “assassin,” stressing that the president had not used such language and wanted the investigation to continue. Her remarks contrasted with those of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said Pretti was committing an act of domestic terrorism.
The two shootings have heightened concerns about the training and discipline of ICE agents and added urgency to internal discussions about the administration’s aggressive immigration actions. About 2,000 federal agents were deployed to Minneapolis for targeted arrests, raids and investigations related to illegal immigration and suspected fraud.
State officials have condemned the deployment as unconstitutional, saying it has resulted in three shootings, thousands of arrests and weeks of protests, and describing it as an illegal occupation. Some senior White House officials have warned that the events could become a political liability, citing fears that public sentiment is turning against the administration’s immigration policies.
A federal judge in Minneapolis is scheduled to consider whether the surge of federal agents violates the state’s sovereignty.
Editor’s Note:
This article is based on official statements, eyewitness accounts, and media reports regarding the killing of Alex Pretti and the subsequent protests in Minnesota. Investigations into the shootings and the conduct of federal agents are ongoing.
